Fleetwater Opposition babies

kerilli

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I have a homebred 2 yr old filly by Fleetwater Opposition. Do his babies have a bit of a reputation for being tricky? i have never ever seen a youngster buck like her in the field, with real venom, not just a fun skip and a hop, and at the moment (i've just started lungeing her lightly in tack) she seems determined to show me how good she is at rearing. she's my 5th homebred, and i've done all the others myself, so i'm not a novice, but i might let a professional sit on this one first! Just wondered if it is typical of his? Thankyou.
 
You should pm Bossanova. She's a huge fan, her mare is by him I believe and has another two at home. She'll know what they are generally like.
 
They like waving....
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ANd are either really easy or slightly temperamental!! Very quick to learn from what have been told...friend has alot of experience with them and says they can be good at standing on their back legs!!
 
this is very very good at it. the first time she did it (loose in the field, showing off) she went so high she nearly went over backwards, but she's obviously been working on her style and is a real pro at it now.
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she got a few good jerks on the controller halter today and thought better of it though. "maybe mummy doesn't like me waving at her after all."
 
Definately ask Boss, her and her sister have had a fair few Oppositions go through their hands (I've seen a fair few as I work for Boss's sister). Quirky and sharp are the words that spring to mind, if you can get on with that they do seem to make very good eventers! I believe Boss usually says something along the lines of you have to persuade an Opposition to work with you, not force it to work for you.
Not sure about the rearing though!
 
One of my friends had a horse by Fleetwater Opposition - good at dressage and showjumping but very rarely made it to the cross country start! Lots of standing up and reversing. (Into a portaloo once!) She sold him and he is now happily being 'hunted' sidesaddle on Exmoor.
 
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Trakehners are the ferraris of the sporthorse world! I've found them to be very intelligent and the Opposition babies have a reputation for being sharp but chanelled correctly they are superb athletes

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Perfectly written!
 
I have just acquired the ride on a Fleetwater Opposition 3/4yo, hes 15'3, black and gorgeous with lots of attitude! You ask him, and dont tell him! And hes got a HUGE buck aswell (ive yet to have to sit this tho!) Jumps beautifully for a 4yo too. Im going to be competing him BD for the owner over the winter/spring.
 
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They like waving....
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...friend has alot of experience with them and says they can be good at standing on their back legs!!

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Thats definately true aswell!!
 
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Trakehners are the ferraris of the sporthorse world! I've found them to be very intelligent and the Opposition babies have a reputation for being sharp but chanelled correctly they are superb athletes

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Maybe that's the Arab influence in the Traks coming through LOL?!!

With Arabs you also have to ask rather than tell, and avoid too much repetition or they get bored - as in "whaddya mean 'trot round in a circle' - I just DID that - TWICE!!!!"
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They're all born with the knowledge of how to rear BIG. They all have a nappy trait and arent afraid to go up if you push the issue. They do all have a big buck yet very, very few will use it against you in ridden work. Theyre very athletic but can tend to get a bit rigid through the back, you cant hold them in place or they start jumping hollow and stop pushing with the hindlegs (more so than other horses)
Theyre very easy to break, very quick learners and if theyre on your side, fantastic horses. Dont ever push an issue though as they'll remember it and resent it for-ever. You want to let the horse never have the opportunity to nap- always avoid an argument, you're best just to go against your instincts and ignore it so that it never becomes a big thing.

Having said all that, once theyre on your side theyre wonderful, loyal horses that try exceptionally hard and are very trainable.
 
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